Elm named `Prince Richard`

ABSTRACT

A new elm is described which is characterized by its high density branching and dwarf to semi-dwarf size. The new tree is superior in durability and resistance to temperature extremes in comparison to other varieties of Ulmus parvifolia and has similar resistance to insects and disease. Tree size is approximately 60% of other standard varieties and the deep green densely borne foliage on numerous branches gives it a rich, full and rounded apearance that makes it attractive to the consumer and enhances commercial value.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of a Chineseelm, Ulmus parvifolia, which originated as a chance seedling in acultivated area. The parents of the new elm variety are unknown. Severaldistinct and unusual characteristics distinguish the new plant frompresently well known varieties such Ulmus parvifolia, Ulmus parvifolia`Drake`, Ulmus parvifolia, (`Emer I` U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,551, andUlmus parvifolia, (`Emer II` U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,552). The inventorobserved the tree growing uncharacteristically in a nursery environmentin Texas on his nursery ground planted by him in a one gallon containerand took particular note of the distinctions between it and other wellknown elms.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety in Texas by softwood stemcuttings placed under a greenhouse intermittent mist has shown that thenew characteristics are permanently fixed through successivepropagations.

`Prince Richard` is an attractive, small, rounded head, dwarf tosemi-dwarf tree, which is prominently distinguished by its overall size,high density branching, rounded head, and smaller leaves with shorterinternode length. The new plant has endured the same growing conditionsin southeast Texas during 1989 to 1996 as standard varieties of Ulmusparvifolia. It exhibits superior foliage resistance to summer heat andhas comparable resistance to cold as other standard elms. It appears tobe no more susceptible to insects and disease than any other variety ofU. parvifolia. `Prince Richard` has been established as moderately easyto asexually propagate by means of stem cuttings which root with about95% take. The dwarf size and bud and foliage traits of the cloneappeared to be identical to the parent, `Prince Richard`.

The following characteristics distinguish the new elm from other Ulmusparviofolia commercially known and used in the nursery industry.

The following table summarizes some of the differences between `PrinceRichard`, Chinese, and `Drake` Elms. Measurements were taken at the endof the growing season on mature leaves.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                                   `Prince Richard`                                                                        Chinese   `Drake`                                        ______________________________________                                        Height at 5 years                                                                          2.1 m       3.9 m     3.8 m                                      Spread       1.5 m       1.8 m     1.8 m                                      Trunk caliper @ 6"                                                                         4.4 cm      5.0 cm    5.7 cm                                     Leaf size (cm × cm)                                                                  3.0 × 1.8                                                                           5.8 × 2.9                                                                         4.2 × 2.2                            # Lateral branches per                                                                     48          15        20                                         meter of trunk                                                                Crotch angle 30-40°                                                                             40-50°                                                                           50-60°                              Internode length                                                                           0.5 cm      2.4 cm    2.0 cm                                     Leaf color   RHS139A     RHS136B   RHS139A                                    ______________________________________                                    

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Photograph 1 shows a comparison of the branches of `Prince Richard` onthe left and a Chinese elm, U. parvifolia on the right depicting thesmaller, darker green leaves, denser branching, and the shorterinternode length of `Prince Richard`.

Photograph 2 depicts a full side view of a 5 year old `Prince Richard`specimen tree currently in production in a 24" redwood box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW TREE

Branching and growth habits: The deciduous variety has high branchingdensity caused by the shorter internode length and the extra branchletsthat tend to occur on the many fine branches. The tree appears to bedwarf to semi-dwarf in size when compared to standard U. parvifolia incurrent production. Moreover, the branching produces an extremely globalto rounded head when compared to known varieties of U. parvifolia. Thefollowing measurements of mature growth were taken from a group of 5year old container grown trees at the end of the growing season.

Height: The new tree is 2.1 m in height, 1.5 m in spread with a singletrunk characteristic of 4.4 cm in caliper.

Vigor and Style: The tree does not form a center leader but rather formsa rather global to rounded head. New growth is only 25-31 cm per growingseason in Southeast Texas.

Main branches: Main branches generally are 100 cm in length, secondarybranches are 35 to 48 cm in length, and the branchlets being 10 to 15 cmin length at maturity. Branching is alternate with typical branch anglesranging from 30 to 40 degrees.

Internode length: A distinguishing characteristic, the internode length,is 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm.

Resistance to insects and disease: This tree has shown no moreresistance or susceptibility to diseases and insects that normallyinfest U. parvifolia cultivars. The two have been grown side by side andreceived the same preventative sprays for the last 5 years in a nurseryenvironment.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, serrate to crenate leaf margin. 3.0 cm long,1.8 cm wide, oval to acute apex, oblique base, lustrous dark green above(The R.H.S. 139A), medium gray green beneath (The R.H.S.191A), pinnatevenation, glabrous above and beneath, petiole 0.2 cm in length, lightgreen (The Royal Horticultural Society 145B) and glabrous.

Fall Coloration: During autumn, the leaves are retained by the treethrough a series of frosts until about December 15th in Southeast Texas.The leaves exhibit no fall color other than yellow (The R.H.S. 12A).

Stem and trunk: Smooth, fine textured, medium gray brown with smallorganish lenticels, glabrous. At 5 years of age this new cultivar hasnot exhibited any exfoliating characteristics of the bark.

Fruit: To date this cultivar has not exhibited any flowers or fruit,probably due to the constant active vegetative growth in a nurseryenvironment.

Propagation: Softwood cuttings have been taken from the parent seedlingand subsequent generations for the past 7 years. Cuttings were strippedof basal foliage, dipped in 0.8 kiba solution, placed in a 100% pinebark medium under intermittent mist 90-95% rooting has been consistentfrom year to year.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Ulmus parvifoliaplant as herein described and illustrated, primarily distinguished byits overall height, rounded head, and high density branching.